Perth Scorchers skipper Simon Katich has produced a sublime and “crucial” innings to lead his side to a six-wicket victory over Mike Hussey’s Sydney Thunder in front of club record crowd at #TheFurnace on Friday night. Katich blasted 75 from 42 deliveries in an innings which included seven fours and two sixes as the Scorchers successfully chased down the Thunder’s total of 6-157 in front of 18,718 fans.
The veteran batsman received excellent support from Mitch Marsh (34no off 29 balls), who finished off the job with a boundary as the Scorchers got home with four balls to spare.
“I think it was crucial tonight, because I don’t think we could have dropped that game if we want to make the semis”, explained Katich. “I also think it was crucial to make the most of the powerplay and, walking out there with 11 balls to go, I thought it was now or never, rather than taking time to get into it and building pressure as the innings went on.
“So, I thought it was up to me to take that responsibility, given Shaun’s role is to bat through the innings”, he continued. “Thankfully it came off and I got off to a flier and that took a fair bit of pressure off. I thought we got the chase down to a reasonable level by the time (Mitch Marsh) came out there and he batted smartly and took a lot of pressure off me.
“That’s what it’s all about in this form of the game; if one guy is getting in, the other guy is scoring at a reasonable rate, then it allows you to complement each other.”
The return of Hussey was the big story of the day, but after receiving a fair reception from #TheFurnace crowd, he managed only 13, before being dismissed by a fine catch from Craig Simmons at third man.
“I think the crowd certainly made it tough for him”, Katich said of Hussey’s return. “He’s obviously been with us the last few years, but that’s cricket these days.
“We’d have rather seen him in our colours than the Thunder’s, but that’s the way it panned out”, Katich added. “We knew it was a danger game and thankfully we kept him quiet, because he’s a big reason why they’ve been competitive all season.”
Brad Hogg was the pick of the Scorchers bowlers with 2-20 from four overs, including two brilliant deliveries to dismiss Kurtis Patterson and Ryan Carters, both bowled.
Jason Behrendorff (1-25) was economical as always with the ball during the early stages, while Yasir Arafat (1-26) and Mitch Marsh (1-37) contributed, with the all-rounder running out Thunder top scorer Eoin Morgan too.
In pursuit of 158, the Scorchers lost Simmons early and Shaun Marsh for 20, but Katich and Mitch Marsh drove the innings forward, with the hosts always in control.
However, Katich survived a close call on 27 when given not out from a good shout by Jason Floros for LBW.
Katich lost partner Adam Voges for 8, but the captain and Mitch Marsh put on a 61-run partnership from 43 balls to take the Scorchers towards victory.
Katich fell late in the innings, much to his frustration, but Mitch Marsh comfortably got the hosts over the line.
Earlier, the Thunder got off to a blistering start with 38 runs off the first 23 balls, before Behrendorff removed Tillakaratne Dilshan LBW.
Alfonso Thomas took an excellent catch to dismiss fellow opener Daniel Hughes for 24, while Morgan was put down on zero by Hogg and he threatened to make them pay.
The Scorchers got the big wicket of Hussey for 13 caught brilliantly by Simmons off Mitch Marsh’s bowling.
Morgan was the key to the Thunder innings but was run out for 48 when caught short by a Mitch Marsh throw with his bat in the air. Jason Floros built some momentum towards the end with an unbeaten 37 off 24 balls, but the Scorchers were able to reel in the total.
BBL|03 Standings after this game
| Teams | Mat | Won | Lost | Tied | N/R | Pts | Net RR | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne Stars | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | +2.699 | ||
| Adelaide Strikers | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | +0.478 | ||
| Melbourne Renegades | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | +0.325 | ||
| Perth Scorchers | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -0.012 | ||
| Sydney Sixers | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -0.995 | ||
| Hobart Hurricanes | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | -1.114 | ||
| Brisbane Heat | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -0.803 | ||
| Sydney Thunder | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -0.478 |
James Buttler
As the editor of World Cricket Badger he is intent on building the website to give quality coverage of the domestic game around the world.
He is also the presenter of the Cricket Badger Radio Show on Radio Yorkshire every Tuesday evening between 7-9pm UK time.
James was the full-time Media Manager at Yorkshire County Cricket Club between 2007 and 2010.
James is a published author, a writer/video contributor to many cricket publications and a complete cricket badger!
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